Tools and Equipment
The Rescue Company
Choosing specialized equipment and tools for rescue companies requires more than a Sunday flea market attitude. The number of manufacturers producing these items has increased to a point where the buyer, rather than the seller, can be selective.
Careful consideration is usually given to price, but product reliability should always be the top priority for rescue operations.
Equipment must perform without fault when it’s called for at a rescue operation. The fireground or rescue scene isn’t the place for trial and error. A quality product kept in good working condition and operated by trained personnel will always be the key to successful rescue operations.
When your department needs a special tool or piece of equipment, who does the shopping — the people who control the purse strings or the people who daily operate and maintain the equipment? Buying a special tool or piece of equipment without soliciting input or advice from those who use it may be like buying waterfront property in the Sahara.
I recently worked at a rescue operation in which a piece of equipment was innovatively incorporated into a new apparatus. It had been recommended by a veteran and highly talented rescue firefighter. The feasibility of the recommendation was questioned by some doubting brothers. On this hot, July day the doubts were erased.
A young girl was trapped under tons of concrete, the result of a sudden stoop collapse. In order to reach her, much of the concrete had to be removed. After removing all of the surface debris, a massive piece of concrete remained as the lone obstacle. A rescue apparatus positioned near the building was backed into the operation’s front area. An A-frame assembly was connected and, by using a winch in conjunction with it, the large piece of concrete was successfully removed.
Without that tool, the alternative would have been to remove all of the emergency apparatus that filled this small and narrow city street so that a crane could be brought to the scene. Use of this rescue equipment avoided a time-consuming operation.
Purchasing the equipment
Saving your department time and money while getting the most out of the product can be achieved by combining a number of factors. Getting a clear picture of the department’s needs should be the first step. Are you looking for equipment that’s to be used for only one type of operation, or will you consider a tool that can perform that operation and more? The extra price for the multifunctioning tool could be a savings overall, but does it fulfill the department’s needs?
If cost isn’t a problem, then your department is one of the lucky ones. Larger departments may have an advantage over the smaller ones; buying in quantity allows manufacturers to offer considerable savings. Consider buying 25 spreading devices rather than one. (See “Joint Purchasing Group,” Fire Engineering, August 1988.)
Getting past the hurdle of price, what about the product’s performance record? Would your department buy a product on its name only? Many older, established manufacturers benefit from their name because they have a proven product. Some departments seek advice from other departments who use brand ”X” and may be inclined to purchase this brand on recommendations only. Other departments may actually observe the tool in operation at an incident and are convinced that it’s the one for them.
How do you find out if the smaller manufacturer or “new kid on the block” has a product that’s equally good, not only in price but in performance? Manufacturers’ exhibitions and shows allow a shopper to view, inspect, and actually operate the equipment or tool. These events can put the smaller manufacturer on equal footing with the big guy because the tool or equipment is available for firsthand inspection and demonstration.
Some manufacturers will offer private audiences for those not easily convinced or unable to see the mass demonstration. Depending on the size of the department, municipality, county, or township, arrangements are often made for these private demonstrations. The opportunity to ask specifics and, more importantly, to have a hands-on session, is afforded.
While a smaller company may not be able to afford these sometimes expensive costs (depending on location, transportation, etc.), there is a way out. Enter the video cassette.
In the fire service, tapes have been used for assessment and promotional exams, home study programs, training programs, courses, schools, daily drill subjects, and operational critiques. These demonstration tapes are unique promotional ideas. The tapes provide the sales pitch as well as describe the tool’s important specs, uses, and maintenance programs. The tool’s actual operating capabilities are shown. The sales tape is becoming increasingly common and is a vital addition to the ways in which the fire service can make purchasing decisions and vital improvements.
Some manufacturers offer tools and equipment to departments on a loaner basis, allowing firefighters the chance to use them during a rescue incident. The value of being able to evaluate the tool under working conditions is obvious and yet, at times, it can work against the manufacturer.
Many years ago, a rescue unit was involved in the pilot-testing of a power saw that was being introduced to the fire service. The saw was being used primarily to vent roofs; it received some heavy action during its short stay. We noticed while cleaning up the tool and getting it ready for the next job that much of the fuel had to be replaced. Fuel was required even after short operations. A design fault caused the fuel cap to loosen, and fuel spilled out during the saw’s operation. The manufacturer redesigned the part, thereby eliminating this unit’s potential for causing a disaster, and went on to be one of the largest suppliers of saws for the fire industry.
Storing the equipment
To be prepared for any type of rescue operation, most rescue companies would like to have as much equipment and tools at the scene as possible. Yet space limitations, department budget allowances, unit response assignments, and equipment presently assigned are some factors which dictate what’s carried aboard a rescue company rig. For example, a rescue company that’s also a SCUBA unit must provide sufficient space for tanks, suits, weight belts, and other dive equipment. A unit providing hazardous-materials service needs additional room for the specialized suits, extinguishing agents, and leaking, sealing, and detecting equipment. Units that supply additional lights or salvage work require the necessary room. Oftentimes, rescue companies add these services to the list of duties that they’re capable of performing.
“Housecleaning” of obsolete equipment or equipment that’s been overshadowed by a new and better model must be undertaken. Newer apparatus J is often designed to provide needed additional space, but after a few years j this space seems to disappear, usually ] replaced by more equipment.
If your department is faced with a lack of sufficient space, there’s a solution. Equipment or tools that can no longer be carried on the apparatus (but can still serve a useful purpose) can be stockpiled at the unit’s quarters, a central location, or placed on a spare apparatus. The latter would be the ideal situation: Equipment would be ready to go, and provisions for having it brought to the scene would have been provided for. This apparatus could also replace an in-service apparatus in the event of a breakdown or needed repairs. Consideration should be given to providing backup equipment in the event of breakdowns and to storing it aboard this spare apparatus. Some departments have trained an associated company in the necessary operational procedures in the event that extra apparatus and equipment is needed. Providing a tool list of the equipment will make it a lot easier for these companies who generally are not familiar with the specialized equipment.
A central location could be used for storing a whole host of additional equipment: shoring, cribbing, chocks, support jacks, foam, extinguishing agents, absorbent products, recovery drums, generators, smoke ejectors, and lighting equipment. Many major emergencies often require this additional equipment, especially during extended operations.
If equipment is to be stockpiled in the unit’s quarters or at a central location, a separate and specially designed area should be set aside for it. By placing this equipment on a numbered shelving setup, a list can be drawn which will indicate location and type of equipment (see illustration). This list should be provided at the site location and to the associated company. The list at the site location is invaluable in the event that a company other than the trained associate company is required to transport the additional equipment. If your department has more than one central location, standardizing the spare equipment and SOPs must be considered.
Some departments are now using companies as support units. These units are supplied with some specialized equipment and given training in its use, and can provide both assistance and equipment to rescue companies. At times, these units will be at the scene prior to the rescue company and have the capabilities to start setting up equipment while waiting for the rescue company’s arrival.
Tool list
A tool list is mandatory in all rescue companies and serves many purposes. Inventory listing of all tools and equipment in the form of an annual, semiannual, or occasional report is required by many departments. Understandably, the larger the department, the greater the need for control. This list provides the unit with an inventory record and a check list for daily operation.
A tool list can be arranged alphabeti! cally and by tool/equipment location | on the apparatus listed alongside. Compartments can be marked numerically or by letters, and this identification can be used on the tool list (see illustration). Providing this list will make it much easier to locate a tool or piece of equipment, especially for those unfamiliar with the equipment and apparatus. A compartment list of the tools and equipment contained within it can also be of great help. It can be placed in a waterproof plastic holder and attached to the inside of the door. Wall space can be used if doors are of the roll-up design.
Schematic drawings of the various available compartment spaces are often useful for training purposes in addition to providing the overall listing by compartment. I’ve often heard newcomers remark, “I can’t believe there’s that much equipment on the apparatus!” or “How do you remember where everything is located?” A complete set of the drawings should be kept with the apparatus in addition to the one filed in the office company records. These drawings should show each compartment with the equipment listed in the appropriate space. Blank compartment sheets are most helpful for the training of new members. He or she can use them to practice remembering the various equipment in each compartment; the company officer can use them to test the member’s knowledge. (Testing done in this manner should only be done for positive reinforcement and not in a punitive way.)
The three type of lists—alphabetical, compartmental, and schematic—can all provide additional help for members, especially those unfamiliar with a particular apparatus or piece of equipment. A binder containing the lists can be carried on the apparatus and be made available when needed. The list can also be very useful when taking up from a major operation when numerous tools and equipment were removed from the rig. The checklist will provide an accurate accounting and reference for returning the equipment to its proper place.
For departments with more than one rescue company, the ideal solution would be identical apparatus, equipment, and tools, and a matching compartment design and storage layout.
FT! he department’s needs are the prime consideration when selecting tools and equipment. Use the input and advice of those who operate and use the tools and equipment, remembering that rescue units are special. They require reliable tools and equipment operated by highly trained firefighters.
